The workforce is increasingly shifting toward a technology-driven landscape to meet the needs of a skills-based economy. As the National Skills Coalition noted in the “Closing the Digital Skills Divide” report, “As leaders design labor market policies to drive a thriving and inclusive economy—it is imperative to understand this acceleration of digital transformation." At the core of this shift are Learning and Employment Records (LERs) and Digital Wallets, which help track the skills of learners and workers, creating confidence and visibility throughout the workforce ecosystem. These tools are making it easier than ever before for workers to share their skills from program to program, agency to agency, or employer to employer.
If workforce agencies and organizations can promote technologies like LERs and digital wallets among learners and job seekers, this will build their confidence, enable them to showcase their digital skills and help them connect to meaningful careers faster.
Do you remember the last time you got a new phone? You may have used a similar device before, but each new model has unique features. With your foundational digital skills, you can confidently explore this new technology. You know you may stumble along the way, but you also understand that each misstep is an opportunity to learn and become more competent. The same sentiment is valid for the workforce and for navigating their digital skills with new technologies.
No matter how helpful, new technology—just like a new phone—can challenge new users in the workplace. Consider a nurse using a new patient information system and experiencing delays during patient intake. Initially, she may feel frustrated, but as she sees the system streamlining her administrative tasks, she becomes more agile and confident. The next time a new technology is introduced at work, she feels prepared and secure with the process.
In a similar capacity, a workforce equipped with digital skills is more agile and more confident in navigating new technology. Agility enables workers to shift when technology and workplace practices evolve, requiring minimal upskilling or reskilling. A worker's general comfort level with technology and ability to adapt to new systems is crucial for today’s fast-paced work environment and often the difference between staying competitive and getting left behind. While adopting new tools may feel daunting at first, when workers recognize that these tools can simplify their tasks, it becomes easier to embrace future technologies confidently. Just like getting used to a new phone, it takes time to adjust, but the benefits—like new features that enhance productivity—are well worth it.
As Learning and Employment Records (LERs) become more widely adopted, they offer a unique opportunity to build, validate, and share digital skills. LERs track and showcase a person’s learning achievements and work experiences, serving as a digital portfolio. They also play a critical role in helping individuals—especially those traditionally left behind by technology—develop greater digital competence and confidence.
Integrating digital skill-building and training into a Learning and Employment Record (LER) implementation helps learners gain confidence in their career paths. When an apprentice shares their digital credential through an LER and secures employment, they become more confident and can repeat it. As students or job seekers receive opportunities for digital upskilling, their confidence grows, positioning them for further career development.
Many organizations within the workforce ecosystem are already working to build an agile, confident, and inclusive workforce. As the National Skills Coalition put it in its Closing the Digital Skills Divide report, "Without digital skills, workers are locked out of jobs that offer good wages and benefits." The future of work depends on technology so learners and workers can connect to meaningful job and economic opportunities. Digital skills and solutions are not something to be afraid of but rather something to take advantage of. Download our “Team Digital Skills Assessment and Upskilling Strategy” worksheet to self-reflect and gain actionable tips on navigating new technologies, such as LERs, in the workforce.